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Don’t touch me! Please Keep back! :)


Don’t touch me! Please Keep back! :)
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3389 W: 139 N: 3987] (10514)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-18
Categories: Amphibians
Camera: Olympus C-5060WZ
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): RARE or SIGNIFICANT contributions to TN 3, Turkish Herpetofauna, Endangered [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-06-03 0:25
Viewed: 620
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 62
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Rana holtzi (=R. macrocnemis holtzi) (Taurus Frog) [in Turk. Toros Kurbağası] #2 (A Male and His Defensive Behaviours)

Dear Friends, thanks for all kind critiques/comments on my previous posting related with a general appearance of a female Taurus frog and her one of defensive behaviour.

Today I am posting a male which it has typically smooth soft skin together with his two kind of the defensive behaviour. In orjinal version, you can see that a male frog tucks its head down in a defensive posture. Sometimes it exhibit another kind of defensive behaviour which can be seen also in females, 'playing possum' [it is also known as "unken-reflex"] in WS.

Hoping that you like this and subsequent shots! Also I wish “a nice week to my all TN friends!”

Cheers,

Bayram

Additional explanation: The "opaqueness" around the eyes is not air! This opaqueness or "bluish" view is stemning from a structural feature: almost all frogs have a third eyelid named as “nictitating membrane”: a transparent inner eyelid (third eyelid indeed, i.e. a thin fold of skin under the true eyelids that can be drawn across the eye) found also in birds, reptiles,and some mammals that protects and moistens the eye without blocking vision.

*****************************

Taurus frog is known from only Karagöl Lake (Bolkar Mt, Taurus Range, Ulukışla, Niğde province). See my previous landscape shots -L1 & L2- to see the habitat of the species. This species has been on the IUCN (The World Conservation Union) Red List of “Threatened Species” since 1996 and categorized as an Endangered (EN) species. Also it has been taken under strictly conservation by the Turkish Goverment since 1998. Now, Listed as “Critically Endangered” because of a drastic population decline, estimated to be more than 80% over the last ten years, based on observed declines resulting from the introduction of fish into its breeding lakes (The population of the Karagöl lake has significantly declined since the introduction of fish to the lakes in the 1990s); and because its extent of occurrence is less than 100 km², and its area of occupancy is less than 10 km², all individuals are in a single location, and there is continuing decline in the quality of its habitat and in the number of mature individuals in and around Karagöl. Karagöl is found within a popular tourist area. A road (see my previous post) has recently been completed at near the site potentially increasing the number of visitors. Also it can be report to be declining through over collection for scientific (althought the conservation rules exist, and without taking any permitance from the govermental judgements) and possibly other purposes, and the introduction of predatory carp fishes into the lakes, has led to a significant decline in the population. Some authors are accept this population as a “subspecies” of an another species “Rana macrocnemis” (Uludag Frog). However, this situation is not important. From a conservation point of view it is not absolutely important if scientists define it as a full species or a subspecies of R. macrocnemis, it is a true isolated population and an important evolutionary entity in my opinion and I think it would not be possible to replace if going extinct with other R. macrocnemis populations. I am happy that we are doing a lot of ecological and reproductive studies to extend the knowledge of this frog. A small population has been known from the Çiniligöl lakelet, which is situated approximately 150 m distance of Karagöl and about 60-70 m higher than it. However, during the past three years we could not see any frog in this lakelet.

*****************************

Taurus frog is a relatively small frog living in Turkey with a maximum snout-vent length 75 mm. Temporal stripes always present. In males skin is soft and smooth, however in females warted. Dorsolateral skin folds are obvious. There is an iner vocal sac in males. The back is yellowish dirty gren, yellowish pink or gray-green with blackish-grren, black or brownish maculations which usually have thin lighter coloured rims. The venter usually pinkish-redish, sometimes yellowish and rarely gray-white. The pinkish-redish ventral colouration is generally strongly in females than males. It feeds on insects (such as some tenebrionids, gerrids, etc.).

On its breeding biology there is no sufficient data and now we are studying this using subcutaneus (into lenfoidal spaces under the skin) minute tags readible with UV lamb. Each frog is monitoring via this tag. Breeding occurs once a year and takes place in early spring, immediately after the melting of ice and snow. They often assemble in large numbers to breed in a specialised sites (generally shallow areas riched by algs). Male develope prominent dark nuptial pads on the thumps. They grasp the female around the body behind the arms. They active by night and day at this time. Females lay small clumps of spawn usually containing 300-400 eggs, although 10-500 have been recorded by us. The clumps are generally placed shallow areas . Larval development takes place about three month. Newly metamorphosed frogs are about 1.5 cm long. This species appears relatively long lived, most frogs dying in approx. 7-10 years in normal conditions. The info on the breeding biology of the Taurus Frog mentioned above is based on our preliminary studies.

Ps. These shots was taken during a project on the population dynamics and breeding biology of R. holtzi (Taurus Frog) supported by TUBITAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey).

References:

1. Göçmen, B. (Unpub. results). The results of herpetological trips.
2. Budak, A. & Göçmen, B. (2005). Herpetology. Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi Kitaplar Serisi, No. 194, Ege Üniversitesi Basimevi, Bornova-Izmir, 226 pp. [2nd Edition, 2008].
3. Baran, I. & Atatür, M. K. (1998). Turkish Herpetofauna (Amphibians & Reptiles). Ministry of Environment, Ankara. 214 pp.
zulfu, nkasot, xTauruSx, eng55, kaytan, Silvio2006, yasemin, bahadir, marhowie, gannu, uleko, jaycee, Gert-Paassen, Tobias__Ortmann, gerbilratz, Argus, Jamesp, NinaM, CeltickRanger, montivipera, rousettus, smitha, jpdenk, Adanac, cypturk has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To montivipera: Heheboreocypriensis 1 06-03 15:04
To cako: Selam Cahit Beyboreocypriensis 1 06-03 12:52
To jaycee: Hi My Sis Janeboreocypriensis 1 06-03 08:12
To marhowie: Hi Howardboreocypriensis 1 06-03 05:55
To yasemin: :)boreocypriensis 1 06-03 01:22
To PaulH: Hi Paulboreocypriensis 1 06-03 01:04
To eng55: selam Ömer Beyboreocypriensis 1 06-03 01:02
To betsie: Hi Betsieboreocypriensis 1 06-03 00:56
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 455 W: 0 N: 69] (488)
  • [2008-06-03 0:39]

Hocam araştırma sonuçlarını bu denli rahat sunmanız sanırım "bilgi paylaşmak içindir" anlayışınızdan olsa gerek. Mükemmel resimler ve türün biyolojisine ilişken önemli bulgular. Elinize sağlık.
Mehmet

Bayram hocam sizden hergün yeni şeyler öğreniyoruz. Doğanın kendisi de bu konuda hiç pinti değil saten. yeterki öğrenme ve paylaşma potansiyeli olsun. Elinize sağlık.
Her iki çekim de mükemmel. Teşekkürler.
Nazım

Doğayı doğada öğrenmek kadar güzeli yok. Bize de bu fırsati verdiğiniz için ayrıca teşekkürler hocam. Nefis kareler. Teşekkürler.
Deniz

Hi Byram
Very nice photo and very good informative notes - well done and thank you for sharing.
Regards
Betsie

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 349 W: 3 N: 375] (1115)
  • [2008-06-03 0:58]
  • [+]

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Erkeği de çok yakışıklıymış ama birazaç utangaç galiba:)
Detaylar,kadraj ve açıklayıcı notunuz mükemmel.
Tebrikler,ellerinize sağlık!

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 977 W: 23 N: 2687] (9852)
  • [2008-06-03 1:02]
  • [+]

Hi Bayram,
excellent clarity and i love the effect of the slimy skin. Great pose caught and excellent DOF too, you have a great eye for this kind of photography, very well done!
Paul

Hi Bayram, ugly creature with splendid blue eyes, wonderful capture of Taurus frog with fine details and excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Wahhhhh... zavallicik insnalar buguzelliklere nasil kiyarlar anlamam.Ne kadar guzel davranislari var.aslinda insandan hic farklari yok.yada tersi bizim onlardan:).eline saglik kardesim.Leyla

Hola Bayram, como documento y fotografia estan muy bien, el motivo no es mi preferido. Un saludo

Bayram hocam her zamanki gibi nefis birçekim olmuş. Türün Davranış Biyolojisi adına önemli belgeler. Elinize sağlık.
Bahadır

Hi Bayram,how is nice this frog!!Eheheheh!! Excellent pic,very perfect details and colors and very interesting note too,another great work from a great photographer as you,my best compliments,Luciano

Hi Bayram,
No worries, I wouldn't touch this guy with your hand!!
Nice detail, color, exposure, and you've shown the slimy exterior in all its glory :}
Excellent note and I enjoyed it playing possum as well. I spotted a snake yesterday (don't know what kind) on our driveway..I ran to get my camera, but when I cam back it was gone of course. I was not brave enough to try and capture it for a photo session :(
Well done & TFS!
Howard

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 815 W: 4 N: 2028] (9554)
  • [2008-06-03 6:01]

Hello Bayram,
I just could not post due to my travelling. This is a nice shot and you can see the skin reflection showing the smoothness. Excellent presentation and supported by lovely biggg notes. ganesh

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2340 W: 164 N: 7010] (22194)
  • [2008-06-03 7:19]

Hello Bayram,
Very fine capture of this Taurus Frog showing its defensive behaviour very well. Interesting note too!
Many thanks and regards, Ulla

Hi My Brother,

I don't think I would want to touch him - he looks so slimy. Almost like he is covered with a film. The two defensive positions are fascinating. In this shot he is curled into a ball with the wonderful eye showing. The workshop is priceless - he is playing dead. Both are great shots with wonderful natural colors and fine details. I always learn something from your posts!

Jane

Hello Bayram,

nice picture from a frog that i don't know and never been seen before.
Good clarity and details.

Gert

Hi bayram,
very sharp capture great sharpness nice details good colours....a great capture
well done
Toba

Hi Bayram, yeeuch... that looks really icky and sticky, great looking toad though, excellent markings and colour. Excellent POV and dof.

  • Great 
  • cako Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 352 W: 0 N: 313] (1767)
  • [2008-06-03 12:25]
  • [+]

Merhaba Bayram bey sayenizde bütün haşeratın türlerini göreceğiz ne güzel doğadan böylesi nadir kareleri paylaşmak ayrı bir tad alıyorum, gözlerine takıldım biraz mavi ilk defa görüyorum ellerinize sağlık.

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1554 W: 233 N: 5217] (18329)
  • [2008-06-03 13:19]

Hahahaha great title :-))
This little fellow is so cute :-D
Excellent capture.
Fine detail, great sharpness, superb composition and a great POV.

Well done, Geckoman!

Joe

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2451 W: 132 N: 6982] (21825)
  • [2008-06-03 13:22]

Hello Bayram,
The recent images of Rana holtzi are of superb quality and includes this fine capture of a male. The technical standard is high and I find the defence posture studies very interesting.
Thanks, my friend, for letting us have the benefit of not only your photographic skills but also of your knowledge.
Best regards, Ivan

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1179 W: 0 N: 4496] (13404)
  • [2008-06-03 13:25]

Hi ayram

Once again you have captured the form and texture of this frog excellently. Bravo.

James

Buenas texturas y luz. Los fuertes reflejos no impiden que hayas captado con excelentes detalles al batracio. Muy bien captada la textura y humedad de su piel.
Un buen trabajo.
Saludos: Josep Ignasi Tejedor.

Merhaba Hocam,
Hem dişisinin hem de erkeğinin tipik davranışlarını çok güzel bir şekilde gösterdiniz, sanırım sırada ampleksus var :) Paylaşım için teşekkürler
Saygılar
Naşit

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 537 W: 0 N: 1314] (4391)
  • [2008-06-03 17:53]

Wow, Bayram, what interesting notes and what a fascinating picture. To see this strong-looking creature protecting itself like this is beautiful. Thank you for the notes, knowledge and superb picture.

Francine

hello Bayram

excellent close shot of this male Taurus Frog,
with very fine POV and DOF, excellent sharpness and details
of his soft skin, he has a funny pose, TFS

Asbed

meşhur kurbağamızın bu pozu da pek bir güzel olmuş. açıkçası, ilk bakışta bu ne yapıyor demeden edemedim. hem fotoğraf zevki hem de yeni bir şeyler öğrenmek de pek güzel (herşeyi bilecek değiliz ya:) ). eline sağlık hoca. iyi geceler.

Hello Bayram,
Ouch! it really is a hands off.:)
It is really amazing the way animals have evolved different tricks to defend themselves from the predators.It looks like a slimy repulsive ball.Excellent sharpness, POV, DOF and exposure. Good natural colours. It is really nice of you to share this picture with us.
Regards,
Smitha.

Hi Bayram,

Another excellent image of these rare frogs, very nice!

Thanks,
John

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1031 W: 1 N: 3945] (13270)
  • [2008-06-10 5:04]

Hello Bayram,
Marvelous posting with both images being of very high quality and your notes very informative. Superb work Bayram, thank you for teaching me a great deal today.
Rick

Great capture of this defensive behaviour of the Taurus Frog and an interesting note to go with it uncle...Many thanks for sharing. Kind regards... Cypturk

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